New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters called on Canada to substantiate the lack of evidence provided so far on a “potential” Indian link in the killing of Canada-based Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Although Canada shared intelligence on India’s alleged role in Nijjar’s killing with its Five-Eyes intelligence allies – New Zealand, the US, the UK and Australia, the South Pacific country cited a lack of evidence in the claims made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Peters, who visited India from March 10-13 and is also his country’s foreign minister, said: “As a trained lawyer, I look okay, so where’s the case? Where’s the evidence? Where’s the finding right here, right now? Well, there isn’t one”.
Nijjar was killed as he came out of a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia on the evening of June 18, 2023 and Trudeau was quick to blame India for the killing. However, almost nine months later, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has yet to name suspects or make arrests in relation to Nijjar’s killing.
The pro-Khalistan leader’s death sparked a massive diplomatic row between India and Canada. Trudeau accused India of killing Nijjar on its soil, but India rejected the allegations, calling them “absurd and motivated,” especially as Canada has not been able to present any evidence to back its claims over the killing.
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s coalition government has prioritised enhancing relations with India to generate future benefits for both sides.
“It is clear that New Zealand and India share common strategic perspectives about the security challenges our Indo-Pacific region faces as well as a commitment to do more together to meet them,” Peters said.
“New Zealand and India are two countries that can, should and will be doing more together,” he said, adding that his visit demonstrated a joint commitment to investing more in building a broad-based, mutually beneficial relationship.